Dispensing device for relatively thick liquids



Dec. 12, 1961 s. A. DENMAN 3,012,699

DISPENSING DEVICE FOR RELATIVELY THICK LIQUIDS Filed Sept. 5, 1958 2Sheets-Sheet l .wwfbxhll: i

Dec. 12, 1961 S. A. DENMAN DISPENSING DEVICE FOR RELATIVELY THICKLIQUIDS Filed Sept. 5, 1958 I64 H0 I I66 IIZ 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /68 I4 Jr/4 if- M2 1 1 I /40 I #2 K m I 170 i we uk- 122 M8 STEPHEN A. DEA/MAN)B/W WA 3,012,699 DISPENSING DEVICE FOR RELATIVELY THICK LIQUIDS StephenA. Denman, Piqua, Ohio, assignor to Rubber- Seal Products (10., Inc.,Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Sept. 5, 1958, Ser. No.759,352 9 Claims. (Cl. 222341) The present invention relates generallyto liquid pumping devices, and more particularly to a hand-operateddispenser for viscous or sticky liquids.

Briefly, the invention contemplates a plunger type pump disposed in acan, or the like, which serves as a reservoir for the liquid to bedispensed. Conveniently operated either directly by hand or by a lever,the device may be screwed or otherwise attached so as to extend from thebottom of the can out the top opening thereof. The pump includes anoffset lift tube which normally remains filled with the liquid andwithin which are incorporated the principal pumping elements. Thereservoir in which tes Patent vice for dispensing relatively thickliquid which utilizes a lift tube for enclosing the moving parts whichare subjected to immersion in the liquid.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel pump forhandling relatively thick liquids which incorporates an offset lift tubein which essential movable parts are continuously immersed in liquid.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel dispenser forrelatively thick liquids in which the only seal subjected to positivepumping pressure is located inside the reservoir from which the liquidis pumped.

It is another object of the invention toprovide a novel dispenser whichincorporates an eccentrically supported movable pump disc adapted toserve both a pumping function and a valve function.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel dispensingdevice for relatively thick liquids which includes a pumping assemblyresilientl emplaced in a standard liquid container.

The foregoing, along with additional objects and advantages, will beapparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of thedevice, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: i

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a dispensing device conforming to thepresent invention, a portion of a discharge tube being broken off inorder to conserve space on the drawing;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, showing the devicedrawn to an enlarged scale and with the attaching means for thedischarge spout also removed;

' FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken generally along thehorizontal section line 33 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken generally along thehorizontal section line 4-4 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section taken on a medial plane through a pumpingassembly and drawn to a further en.- larged scale;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to the lower end ofFIGURE 5, but showing the parts in moved position;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken generally along thesection line 77 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of aremoved liquidseal;

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of a removed pump disc assembly;

FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of a removed inlet valve;

FIGURE 11 is a vertical section showing a modified pumping assemblyresiliently retained in a standard liquid container shown fragmentarily;

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken generally along thehorizontal section line 12-12 of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the upper end of themodified pump assembly with its discharge spout removed; and

FIGURE 14 is a horizontal section taken generally along the line 14--ldof FIGURE 13.

Referring more particularly to the details of the drawings, a dispensingdevice designated generally by the numeral 20 comprises a reservoir 22and a pumping assembly 24. As illustrated, the reservoir 22 may take theform of a simple can or jar having a threaded neck 26 upon which thepumping assembly 24 is removably mounted. A gasket is provided as a sealagainst leakage at the threaded joint.

The pumping assembly 24 includes a main housing 30 formed, as bycasting, to serve as a cover for the top opening of the reservoir 27.2.This housing 30 defines an internal cavity 32 which extends asubstantial distance above an internally threaded enlargement 34 adaptedto.

fit the neck of the reservoir. The cavity 32 terminates at an upper wallportion 36 having a central upper opening 38 which communicates via anangular passage 46 with a discharge tube assembly 42. As is clear fromFIGURES 1 and 2, the passage it? extends through a spout portion 44integral with the cap portion of the housing 3t} and having a threadedend 46 for accommodation of the conventional tube assembly 42.

A lift tube 455 formed to the offset configuration clearly illustratedin the drawing has its upper flanged end secured, as by screwsz'ill, tothe underneath side of the housing wall 36 in communication with theopening 38. A gasket 52 is employed to prevent leakage at this joint.The tube" 48 includes a lower inlet extension 5 3 having a smoothcylindrical interior and an upper outlet extension 56 which serves bothto space the lower extension 54 downwardly beyond the lower end of thehousing 36 and at the same time to communicate the interior of the lowerextension 54 with the opening 38 into the passage 46. I T he upper endof thelower extension 54 is defined by a horizontal wall portion 58' andthe lower end is provided with an external flange 60.

A foot valve assembly 62 includes a valve disc 64 disposedflush againstthe lower end of the extension 54 and retained by a clip 66 having acentral aperture 68 and spring-like fingers 70. The fingers 79 areformed for retentive engagement with the aforementioned flange 60.

' The valve disc 64 is preferably constructed from flexible sheetmaterial, such as polyethylene,for example;

- the actual length of the slits 72 is'approximately equal to theinternal diameter of the tube extension. 54; From the latter figuresalso, it will be observed that'the diameter of the aperture 68 in theclip 66 is less than the inside diameter of the extension 54 andJhence,less than the length of the slits 72. l V i The pump assembly 24assembly 74 which extends substantially the full vertical length of .thedevice 20. .Theassembly 74 includes 'a lift disc 76, shown re'movedinFIGURE '9, and being formed incorporates a movable lift actually more toan oval than to circular shape. The oval shape of the member 76 is such,and the peripheral edge of this member is so formed, that a fiushperipheral engagement is made with the interior of the extension tube 54when the member 76 is disposed in the angular position illustrated inFIGURE 6. The disc member 76 is preferably constructed of material, suchas nylon, for example, which may have smooth sliding nonbindingengagement with the tube interior while in this angled position.

The lift disc 76 is provided with an attachment 78 which is eccentricwith respect to the disc portion, being offset in the elongateddirection of the oval configuration of the member 76. The lower end of alift rod or wire 80 is secured to the connecting member 78' so that, asis clear from FIGURES 5 and 6, the weight of the lift disc 76, or anyupward pull on the rod 80 tends to cause the member 76 to occupy theposition illustrated in FIG- URE 6.

The lift rod 80 extends upwardly within the tube extension 54 parallelwith the axis of this tube and passes through an aperture 82 formed inthe wall portion 58. A grommet 84 lines the aperture 82 and is providedwith a passage which fits snugly around the rod 80 to form a slidingseal. A compression spring 88 is disposed on that portion of the rod 80within the lower tube extension 54 and acts between the stationary wall58 and the lower looped end of the rod 80 to bias the latter in adownward direction.

Above the horizontal wall 58, the rod 80 extends upwardly parallel to,but outside of, the upper tube extension 56 and passes through the wall36 of the housing 30. A passage 90 in the wall 36 is provided with anelongated grommet 92, shown removed in FIGURE 8, which is generallysleeve-like, but which has a depending conical portion 94 which is splitvertically into separate halves. This split portion 94 is provided witha passage 95 which is smaller in diameter than the rod 80, but whichaccommodates the latter member through slight separation of the halves.The portion of the member 92 above the conical portion 94 has anenlarged passage 96.

The upper end of the rod 80 is secured to a trigger assembly 98 whichincludes a trigger 100 pivoted by means of a pin 102 to a lug portion104 integral with the spout 44 of the housing 30. The trigger, formedgenerally as illustrated, has a U-shaped after portion whichaccommodates a sleeve 106 drilled to receive the rod 80 as illustratedin FIGURES 5 and 7. A pair of screws 108 inserted from opposite sides ofthe trigger 100 into opposite ends of the sleeve 106 serve to secure therod 80 in appropriate adjusted position.

In using the device 20 to dispense a relatively thick liquid containedin the reservoir 22, the pumping assembly 24 is of course mounted inplace with at least a portion of the lower extension tube 54 immersed inthe liquid. An operator may then grasp the housing assembly 30 in onehand in a manner to engage the trigger 100 with the fingers, whereuponback and forth pivotal movement of the trigger 100 will be effective topump liquid from within the reservoir 22 upwardly through the lift tube48, the passage 40, and the discharge tube assembly 42.

As is clear from the drawing, a counterclockwise pivotal movement of thetrigger 100 will cause the lift rod 80 to be moved upwardly against thebiasing action of the spring 88 and to carry along with it the lift disc76. Due to the eccentric attachment of the rod 80 to the disc 76, thelatter takes the position illustrated in FIGURE 6 so as to make snugperipheral engagement with the interior of the tube extension 54. Thus,upward movement of this disc 76 tends to create a vacuum in the portionof the tube extension 54 therebelow and the liquid is drawn in throughthe lower end of the tube past the inlet valve 64. By virtue of theflexibility of the material of the valve 64, the quadrants 73 defined 4by the slits 72 are enabled to open slightly, as illustrated in FIGURE6, for this infiux of liquid.

Upon release of the trigger 100, the spring 88 is effective to returnall of the parts to the original position shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 5 ofthe drawing, and this reverse or downward movement of the rod 80, alongwith the resistance offered by the liquid on the underneath side of thelift disc 76, is effective to pivot the latter to the position shown inFIGURE 5. At the same time, the weight of the liquid above the footvalve 64 causes the quadrants 73 to close and the valve 64 thus toretain the liquid thereabove. As is clear from FIGURE 5, the valve isprevented from opening in a reverse or downward direction by the lowerdisc portion of the clip 66 which extends inwardly beyond the outer endsof the slits 72 to provide support for the quadrants 73.

Clearly, a subsequent oscillation of the trigger 100 will be effectiveto draw in more of the liquid into the lift tube 48, so that,eventually, the liquid will completely fill the tube 48 and the outletpassage 40 in the housing 30. Then, upon still further actuation of thetrigger 100, the liquid will be discharged from the discharge tubeassembly 42 during each counterclockwise oscillation of the trigger 100.The upward movement of the lift disc 76, in addition to drawing inliquid from below, lifts the liquid thereabove to effect the desiredupward flow. The downward movement of this disc 76 in the verticalposition of FIGURE 5 is effected without causing downward flow in thedevice. Thus, the disc 76 serves as its own valve and, in cooperationwith the foot valve 64, produces the desired flow of liquid.

Attention is directed to the fact that the fiexible valve 64, the discmember 76, the spring 88, and the lower end of the rod 80 are at alltimes completely immersed in the liquid retained in the lift tube 48.Furthermore, due to the snug fit of the rod 80 Within the aperture 86 ofthe grommet 84, the portion of the rod 80 which is withdrawn upwardlyfrom the interior of the tube 48 is wiped free of liquid. This, plus thefact that the wall 58 through which the rod 80 passes is disposedadjacent the lower opening of the housing 30, or, in other words, at apoint adjacent the top opening of the container 22 and above the normalliquid level in the latter, tends to keep that portion of the rod 80between the wall 58 of the lift tube 48 and the top wall 36 of thehousing 30 normally free of liquid coating. Thus, there is little chancefor the liquid to dry on this portion of the rod 80 and therebyinterfere with the described operation of the device 20.

In line with the foregoing, it will be noted that the direction ofoffset of the lower tube extension 54 from the upper tube extension 56is rearwardly of the extended spout portion 46, so that any forwardtipping of the device 20 in use will cause the liquid to flow away from,rather than toward, the upper surfaces of the wall 58, gromet 84, andthe rod 80 extending thereabove.

When the liquid from the container 22 is inadvertently splashed orotherwise caused to coat the exposed upper portion of the rod 80, it iswiped off by the split portion 94 of the upper grommet 92, as well as bythe aforementioned grommet 84. Hence, although the previously mentionedlocation of the wall 58 high in the container 22 is in general apreferred construction, it is to be understood that in certaincircumstances the wall 58 will be well below the normal liquid level inthe reservoir 22. In this connection, it is evident that, where desired,a simple spacer tube may be employed between the upper end of the offsetlift tube 48 and the opening 38 in the housing 30 to adapt the device 20for use with reservoirs having greater depth than that exemplified bythe illustrated container 22.

FIGURES 11 through 14 illustrate a modified dispensing device,designated generally by the numeral 110, which comprises a reservoir 112in cooperation with a :3 pumping assembly 114. While the co'ntaine'i 112here illustrated takes the form of a standardfive gallon pail or drum,it will be obvious that reservoirs of other sizes and shapes may besubstituted therefor. Preferably, however, the reservoir is providedwith a cover such as 116 having a top opening 1125 defined by aninturneo annular flange 120. r

The pumping assembly 114 comprises a lift tube 122 which may be formedfrom a single length of tubing to provide a lower inlet extension 124offset from an upper outlet extension 126. The uppermost end of the lifttube 122 is fitted with a thimble-like adapter 128 which is slidable inthe tube 122 and which secures a flexible discharge tube 130 throughwhich the liquid is dispensed as will appear. When not in use, thedischarge tube may be telescoped into the lift tube 122.

An upper retainer 132 includes a band portion 134 similar to a C-clampwhich encircles an upper portion of the lift tube 122 and is secured inplace by a self-tapping screw 136. Preferably, the retainer 132 isconstructed from resilient metal, and three finger-like extensions 158integral with the band portion 134 extend upwardly and outwardly forengagement of their free ends with the aforementioned flanged opening118. A pair of guide tabs 140 and 142 extend downwardly and outwardlyfrom the band portion 134. The tab 140 is provided with a hole 144 andthe tab 142 is provided With a slot 146 for guiding engagement with alift rod 148.

The lowermost end of the lift tube '122 is provided with a spring lock150 formed from a leaf of resilient spring metal. The member 150comprises a rectangular strip of metal having a width somewhat less thanthe diameter of the tube 122 and which is bent in the middle and securedin the lower tube opening by means of a cotter pin 152. The four corners154 of the leaf member are turned downwardly so as to make claw-likeengagement with the bottom of the reservoir 112.

The pump assembly 114 incorporates a movable lift assembly 156comprising the aforementioned lift rod 148 and a lift disc 158articulatively fastened to the lower end of the rod 148 by means of anattachment 160. The lift disc 158 and its attachment 160 are similar inconstruction and configuration to the corresponding members 76 and 78 ofthe dispenser 20.

The lift rod 148 comprises a lower hook portion 162 for engaging thefastener 160 and a straight vertical portion 164 immediately thereabovewhich extends upwardly within the lower tube section 124 to emergethrough a hole 166' at the offset in the lift tube 122. Above theportion 164, the rod 48 is conveniently formed as clearly illustrated inFIGURE 13 to provide an upper finger loop 168, along with parallel guideportions 170 and 172 which slidably engage the previously describedguide tabs 140 and 142 of the upper retainer 132. Preferably, the lengthof the guide portions 170 and 172 is sufficient to enable the lift disk158 to be moved over substantially the full length of the lower tubesection 124. A bent end 174 is provided, however, at the lower end ofthe portion 170 to limit the upward'movement of the assembly 155 so thatthe disk 158 will not bind at the offset.

The device 11@ operates in a manner generally similar to that of thepreviously described device 20. The upper retainer 132 is adjusted to aposition wherein, with the finger portions 138 engaged beneath a flangesuch as 121 the lock spring 150 is resiliently engaged with the bottomof the associated reservoir 112. The

downturncd corners 154 of the member 150 are thus pressed into place soto retain the pump assembly 114 in secure position within the reservoir.The discharge tube 130 may then be withdrawn from its telescopedposition within the upper tube section 126 and directed as-desired fordischarge of a liquid therefrom. The pumping assembly 114 is operated byengaging the finger loop 163 with the fingers and operating the liftassembly 156 up and down. The restricted opening atthe lower end of theinlet tube section 124 of the lift tube 122 serves a checking functionwith relatively thick liquids, enabling the liquid to be sucked into thelower end of the tube 122 upon upward movement of the disk 158 andretaining the liquid against rapid flow back out of the tube while thedisk 158 is returned downwardly.

Clearly, there have been provided dispensing devices for handlingrelatively thick liquids which fulfill the objects and advantages soughttherefor.

it is to be understood that the foregoing description and theaccompanying drawings have been given only by way of illustration andexample. It is also to be understood that rearrangement of elements,substitution of parts, and changes in form of the elements, all of whichwill be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by theclaims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device for dispensing relatively thick liquids, a verticallyelongated pump comprising, in combination, a vertical lift tubeincluding an upper portion and a lower portion in laterally offsetrelation, the bottom of said upper portion being connected to the top ofsaid lower portion by a passage defining said offset relation, liftmeans including automatic valve means disposed for reciprocation in saidlower portion, rod means connected to said lift means and extendingupwardly within said lower portion to the top thereof and beyond saidlower portion externally of the upper portion, discharge tube meansconnected to the uppermost end of the lift tube, and means restrictingthe lowermost end of the lift tube, the lift means comprising a liftdisc in the general form of a plate formed to oval shape, the peripheraledge of the disc being in part beveled for flush engagement with,

the interior of the lower portion of the lift tube when the disc isdisposed at an angle within the tube, the automatic valve meanscomprising an articulated eccentric connection between the lift disc andthe rod means.

2. The combination of claim 1. plus spring means disposed within thelower portion of the lift tube for biasing the rod means downwardly,said spring means engaging the rod means above and free of theeccentrically connected lift disc.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the means restricting thelowermost end of the lift tube comprises check valve means including aplate-like disc of flexible material.

4. In a device for dispensing relatively thick liquids, a verticallyelongated pump comprising, in combination, a vertical lift tubeincluding an upper portion and a lower portion in laterally offsetrelation, the upper end of the lower portion being connected to thelower end of the upper portion by a passage including an upper wall,said upper wall having a hole therethrough, lift means includingautomatic valve, means disposed for reciprocation in said lower portion,rod means connected tosaid lift means and extending upwardly within saidlower portion to the top thereof and beyond said lower portion throughthe hole in said wall externally of the upper portion, discharge a tubemeansconnected to the uppermost end of the lift tube, and check'valvemeans restricting the lowermost a passage adapted to make snug slidingcontact with the rod means, the parts of said split grommet beingseparable during the sliding action of said rod means.

6. The combination of claim 4 wherein the top end of the lift tube issecured to a cap-like housing provided with a passage for discharge ofliquid and provided with a hole for accommodation of the rod means, andwiping means associated with said hole for removing liquid which mayadhere to the rod means.

7. The combination of claim 6 including means for reciprocating the rodmeans and wherein the length of reciprocation of the rod means is lessthan the distance between the split grommet and the wiping means.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the discharge tube means isflexible and has a sliding connection with the lift tube so as to permitits being selectively telescoped therewithin.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the pump terminates at its upperend in a retainer element adapted to cooperate with a flanged opening ina standard container, and wherein the rod means terminates in an upperfinger ring which can be disposed below the retainer element so that thecontainer may be closed with the pump remaining therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

